​Estelle Michelle Olifantis a 26-year-old female from Bellville in Western Cape. She has a Matric Certificate and is currently working towards completing her degree. The dream of starting her own business have always been one of her passions and aspirations. However, lack of funds became a barrier to realising this vision, until the Agency intervened.

The young aspiring entrepreneur approached the NYDA branch in Cape Town to acquire more information about the products and services designed for youth development. One of the consultants advised her that the NYDA offers a Grant Funding to young entrepreneurs. The Grant ranges from R1000 to R200 000 (for agriculture and technology related projects, the maximum threshold is R250 000).

She was further informed that young people whose business ideas qualify for the Grant Programme, depending on their individual needs, would also undergo some of the NYDA’s non-financial support services that include Mentorship, Business Consultancy Services, Market Linkages, Business Management Training Programme and Youth Cooperative Development Programme

The NYDA Cape Town branch approved the Grant Funding to the value of R49 818.00 to purchase products for Estelle’s IT/Software Sales & Services business based in Kuilsriver. The business currently employs two people; one on full-time, and the other on a temporary basis. She intends to grow the business and conduct workshops in different areas to expand her reach.